“Are you okay?” I nodded to Alchy’s question as I felt him sit next to me. We are in front of the tents, sitting facing the bonfire. It’s already nighttime and probably eight in the evening. We’ve just finished eating our dinner and taking a rest before going to sleep.
“Yes. I expected less about this place.” I said wholeheartedly. I heard Alchy sigh and a creak from his direction, but I did not mind looking at him. My eyes were focused on the burning fire in front of me.
“Maybe, this is a good time for you to fulfill the deal between us, Gandhara.” I looked at Alchy in shock as my chest throbbed intensely. “Your expression says it all,” he added while his gray eyes were focused on me.
“Since when?” I asked when I finally calmed myself. I was taken aback because of Alchy’s sudden approach. I’m still shocked, but I
I groaned as I moved my body. It was painful. Maybe because of yesterday’s long ride wherein I even sleep in the car in an uncomfortable position.I’m still a little sleepy because I didn’t fall asleep last night. It was already dawn when drowsiness visited me. I stared at the ceiling colored orange, and I almost forgot that I was sleeping inside the tent.This place was the black tag soldier’s lair inside Bridi. Bridi was known as the City of the battlefield because countless terrorism happened in the same spot.This place was used to settle war problems and to train new soldiers to be the fortress of Tranquil. Tranquil is the capital City, while Bridi is the creator of the defense. I struggled to be here for a long time, but I’m here right now, overcoming my own issues.I let out a deep sigh and closed my eyes and open again. I breathe in and out for
“Shit!” I heard Alchy say between his heavy breath as he gently guided me to stand straight. “Don’t move,” he whispered in front of my ears. I don’t know what’s going on, but the red dots are coming from nowhere were still flashing on my forehead. “Find the source of this magnifying reflector,” Alchy said, but I knew that he wasn’t talking to me.Before Lieutenant Grey could answer Alchy, the place suddenly lighted. I can feel shocked within the three of us. I didn’t know there was a light in this place since this was destroyed by the bomb six years ago, and it still stinks.How come that electricity can flow here? I looked around and filled my thoughts with an answer. There are lamps on every side of the place. From its look, it was made with solar; and a trace of being on fire can be seen here. This place was abandoned.“Who
“What the...what is he doing here?” I heard Alchy murmur as he looked in the direction where my eyes were focused. I wondered why that person was here and in this kind of place.As I looked at the person leaning against the gate, I couldn’t help but feel my heart beating faster. Even if we are meters away from each other, I can feel the man’s intense gaze.I immediately brought my face back to the front when I heard an opening from the door, and Alchy was already outside.“Will you stay there until daylight, Miss Alejandro?” I looked at the other side and saw Lieutenant Grey open the door beside me. “I still can’t believe that you’re Captain Alejandro’s daughter,” he added as he stared at my eyes. The place was a bit dark since it was already night, but I could feel the astonishment on Lieutenant Grey’s face.&nbs
“So, why are you here?” I asked Zygo. We are currently sitting in the concrete chair under the giant tree. I stared at Zygo as our eyes met each other.“I missed you.” he directly said in front of my eyes. I immediately turned around to see if someone was near us or some people might hear but thank God, we are the only ones here.I brought my face back to him with confusion. “Stop jerking around, tycoon. This is not a place to play games.”“Well, I ain’t playing games, my woman.”“Stop addressing me as yours.”“Why did you come here with that soldier. You like him, don’t you?” I almost choked myself because of Zygo’s question. I looked at him with disgust. His words, I can’t bear it.“Are you nuts? Are the nails on your head are loosen
I opened my eyes and immediately looked at my watch. I silently yell after seeing the time. Did I sleep that too long? I left myself mesmerizing for a while before letting out a deep sigh.It’s been two days since Zygo was here, and I’ve been here for many days as well, but honestly, I don’t know what I will do. Like, all of my plans had disappeared instantly, and right now, my mind was left blank while looking for other reasons to stay here longer.I shrugged my head as I moved my body to the side. I’m still sleepy and can feel pain in my body, but it’s not a deal. I stared at the ceiling while lying inside the tent. Should I go back to Tranquil? I can’t really find another reason to spend time here in Bridi.Maybe, I need to do it too, since Alchy needs to go back to the City because he has still a mission to finish. I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath. After calming
I did not answer and remained silent without looking in Zygo’s direction. A couple of minutes has passed yet, no one has spoken between us. I don’t know what kind of response I will give to his last words. It struck me hard.“Sorry for telling these things all of a sudden. I just think that this would be a great time to do it. Look, I don’t expect a response nor expecting that you’ll address my feelings, but I just want to let it all out.” I let out a deep sigh and immediately stood up. Without hesitation, I take myself out of the tent.Zygo was surprised when I suddenly sat beside him. He stared at me as his face blushed. At first, I thought that he was just jerking around, but then, I could feel that he was serious about it.He was already wearing a shirt. Thank God because I couldn’t bear sitting beside him while he was naked.&ldqu
Zygo forcibly pushed the man away as he released it from his grip. I was shocked because of what he did. It’s far from what I have expected.“Sergeant, they are here!” we quickly glanced at the source of the voice, and one of these men was running towards us. “Those soldiers were just waiting for us to be here!” the man added while panting. I don’t know what they are talking about, and my attention was stolen by Zygo when he suddenly held my hands, making me look at him.He suddenly caressed my cheeks, making me unable to move. I stared at his brown eyes as my heartbeat furiously.“Are you okay?” Zygo asked. I don’t know why. I wanted to speak, but I couldn’t open my mouth. His eyes were drowning me. “Gandhara?” I flinched when he moved his hands that were holding my cheeks.“Y-Yes?” I bit my l
“Stay still,” I muttered while wrapping the bandage on Zygo’s arm. I could feel his intense stare, but I did not mind it and focused my eyes on his wound.“Why are you so good at this? No. Why are you so good at everything?” he asked, making me press his wound to shut him up. I let out a deep sigh as I finished wrapping the bandage. I quickly stood up and looked at him. Our eyes met.“It’s all good. Thank God that the bullet wasn’t too deep.” I stared at Zygo while observing his face.“Have you fallen for me?” Zygo asked when I remained to stare at his face for a couple of seconds. His arrogance is activated again. I just clicked my tongue.“You look pale, so you should take a rest,” I said and quickly turned around, but I felt Zygo’s hands on my wrist, holding me back even before I
< Four Years Later >“Mimi!” I immediately stopped what I was doing, took off the mask without hesitation, and turned around. A little girl ran in my direction and hugged my waist when she reached me. “I miss you!” she said while giggling.It was Tanya, Tara’s daughter.I let out a deep sigh and then removed the gloves. “What are you doing here, little one?” I asked as I lowered down my body to level her height. “Mimi is doing dirty work; wouldn’t you mind if you caught that dirt?” she immediately shrugged.“No! I hate dirty, but if I can’t hug you because of that, then I don’t mind getting myself a speck of dirt.” she hissed. How cute! She’s too young to know these kinds of things. I just laughed and then carried her in my arms as I stood.“Just kid
“Good morning, Mom and Aki.” I greeted them when they woke up since I got up first.“Good morning, Miss,” Aki replied while rubbing her eyes.“Good morning too, sweetheart.” my mother mumbled and immediately took herself out of bed. I smiled when she walked over to me and gave me a kiss on the cheeks. “Did you sleep well?” I nodded then she glanced at Aki. “How about you, Aki?”“Yes, Mrs. Alejandro. I had a good sleep. Thank you for asking.” Aki said, then smiled. I was about to speak when someone suddenly knocked on the door.“Breakfast is ready.” I heard Jay say behind the door. “Just come downstairs.” after he said those words, we heard footsteps walking away from our room. I immediately looked at my wristwatch, and it was already eight in the morning.
“How have you been?” my mother asked Dielo while we were sitting in front of the table, having dinner. “You did not even think about visiting me,” she added, and I could feel the sadness in her voice. I don’t know, but I think they are close to each other in the past and even now.“I’m sorry for that, Andrea. I couldn’t go back to the City because of what happened six years ago. I need to recover from the bomb because I got traumatized when Galeo died in front of me. The explosion was too loud and made me lose my mind for a while. I just got myself back, and the first thing I did was go back to the City and then meet Gandhara. I want to see you, but I do not know where is your home.” after Uncle Dielo’s long litany, he eats while staring directly into my mother’s eyes.The five of us remained silent while eating. I was beside my mother while Aki and Jay were
“Good morning, Mom and Aki.” I greeted my mother, who had just arrived in the living room with Aki. I immediately glanced at Jay, “Get the things to the car, Jay.” I said, and he nodded, then started taking the things out. “How’s your sleep, mom?” I asked as I brought my eyes back to my mother.She sat on the sofa. “I slept well, sweetheart. Thinking about today excites me, so I tried my best to have a good rest so that I won’t be exhausted on the trip.” my mother sat on the sofa with a smile on her face. She’s been waiting for the day to start. I smiled at her because I feel the same way too.When Jay finished carrying the things to the car, my mother instructed the maids again. After that, we immediately take ourselves outside. “Where’s Aki?” my mother said as Jay started the engine.“Oh, right,” Jay said.
I was currently packing my things because tomorrow is when we will travel out of the City. Alchy, Zygo, Jay, and Aki will also be with us. We plan to stay there for a week, and the place that we will be waiting for is already settled by my father’s former colleague.I can’t help being excited just by thinking that we will visit my father’s rest place; my heart is already hyperventilating. I let out a deep sigh and continued packing my things.“Maybe, this stuffs are enough for a week,” I mumbled to myself after a couple of minutes of packing my things. I let out a deep sigh and turned my gaze to the side when I heard an engine. Because of curiosity, I stood up from sitting on the bed and immediately took myself to the terrace.I quickly peeked outside and saw a black Lamborghini who had just parked in front of our house. I was confused for a couple of seconds, thinking who might
“Where have you been?” I immediately asked Zygo after getting ourselves to his hotel’s dining area. We are currently at his private part of the area, facing each other while separated with a rounded marble table.Zygo stared at me with a smile forming on his lips. By his reaction, I already knew what was on his mind at this instant. “Why? Did you miss me?” he asked with a grin on his face. I was right, and he never changed.I just raised my left brow. I was about to speak out the words that I used to do, but something was playing inside my mind. Maybe there’s nothing wrong with it since we are already friends.I flashed a smirk. “Am I not allowed to miss you?” I almost burst into laughter when I saw how his expression changed. I know that he has feelings for me, but honestly, I can’t pay it back to him on how he looked at me. “Is my words enough to f
It’s been three months since everything was at peace. It’s also been that long since I last saw Zygo. I don’t know where he is or what he is doing right now. We exchanged our contact numbers, but I did not get a message coming from him until now. The truth is, is he okay?I shrugged and let out a deep sigh as I stared in front of me. “What am I even doing here?” I mumbled to myself. I was currently standing in front of the ZF Hotel. The place where Zygo and I first met.I don’t know what’s going on with me, but I really want to see that person. Maybe, I got so close to them, and I couldn’t admit it to myself before. I let out another deep sigh and stared at the entrance of the hotel for a couple of seconds before I took myself inside.When I entered, there were no other people except those in the reception area. I walked quickly over there.
“Young Miss, the person you have been waiting for is already here.” one of the maids said. I turned my eyes on her and stopped from slicing the cake. “He was waiting in the living room.” the maid added. I nodded at her.“Sure. Thank you so much.” after I said those words, the maid left immediately. I finished slicing the cake and placed it on the plate. I let out a deep sigh and took myself out of the kitchen.I thought of giving this recorder yesterday to Alchy, but I remembered that he was not in the City. When I sent him a message, he immediately told me that he would be at Tranquil today.We exchanged contact information the last time. I didn’t know that I would open it to Alchy and Zygo since I thought the gang would be the last to enter my list of friends. One thing that I’ve learned, as long as you live, a lot of plot twists in your life will happen
“Here’s the key to your father’s office, Miss. We maintained cleaning it without moving or touching any of the things.” I nodded. “I’ll leave you here first, Miss. I have a meeting with one of the sponsors.” when Aki left me, I stared at the door in front of then glanced at the keys on my hand.It’s been three days since I got discharged. I would have liked to go here the next day since I got out of the hospital, but my body is not yet fully recovered to travel, so I postponed it and decided to go here today.I stand in front of the door for a couple of seconds before getting the urge to open it. When I opened the door, I was greeted by a fragrant smell. I wasted no time and quickly entered.When I entered, I suddenly stopped, and for some unknown reason, tears suddenly dripped from my eyes. I can feel my father’s presence. I know it’s been a l